Release: Marion County Residents Invited to Flood Map Open House

Local, state, and federal officials are working to reduce the impacts of severe weather and other natural disasters. On January 12, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will hold a virtual Open House to introduce Marion County residents to their updated flood maps.

FEMA, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Marion County officials invite residents to join them at the Open House for any length of time. Residents who cannot attend can also see preliminary versions of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) here.

WHAT: VIRTUAL Open House to Review New Flood Maps
WHEN: Thursday, January 12, 2023, 5 - 7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Visit https://fema.zoomgov.com and enter the following:
Meeting ID: 160 103 3579, Passcode: 892172
You may also call (551) 285-1373 and enter the meeting ID and passcode listed above.

There is no formal presentation at the Open House. Experts will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance. They can also explain floodplain development regulations and the mapping process. Residents can meet with experts one-on-one to look at their own addresses on the new maps. They will learn about their specific risk. They will also learn how to help prevent flood loss.

The map changes for Marion County mainly entail updating the flood hazards surrounding five levee systems in the city of Indianapolis and the town of Speedway. The levee systems and their approximate locations are:

  • EC-09(C)#1, Segment EC-09(b): Along Eagle Creek between W 21st Street and Buick Drive in Speedway

  • LEC-01: Along Little Eagle Creek between Cossell Road and W Washington Street in Near Westside

  • LEC-04#1: Along Little Eagle Creek north of Lafayette Road in Eagledale

  • WR-20(b): Segment along the White River and Fall Creek north of 10th Street in Downtown Indianapolis

  • WR-16 Floodwall: Segment along the White River between Oliver Avenue and just north of W Washington Street in Downtown Indianapolis

Once in effect, the maps will inform flood insurance rates and local floodplain management rules adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program, which helps residents protect their properties and recover more quickly after a flood.

Property owners, realtors, lenders and insurance agents will benefit from this chance to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation in Marion County.

The preliminary FIRM and FIS report can be viewed here.

Lindsay Trameri